Hospital bed having laterally adjustable spring sections



1959 M. R. FOURNET 2,872,689

HOSPITAL BED HAVING LATERALLY ADJUSTABLE SPRING SECTIONS Filed Jan. 18,1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG-.1

INVENTOR. MAR|E E. F'ouczua'v BY Feb. 10, 1959 M. R. FOURNET HOSPITALBED HAVING LATERALLY ADJUSTABLE SPRING SECTIONS Filed Jan. 18, 1957 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Ila-.

INVENTOR. Mame Q. FOUIZNET ATTORNEYS upon the mattress.

HOSPITAL BED HAVING LATERALLY ADJUST- ABLE SPRING SECTIONS Thisinvention relates to hospital beds, and more particularly has referenceto a bed particularly designed to accommodate patients who arecompletely bedridden, such as paralytics and persons of extreme age andinfirmities.

Considerable difiiculties arise in the care of bedridden patients. Theplacement and removal of bed pans, for example, is quite difiicult, andin addition may prove very uncomfortable so far as the patient isconcerned. Most usually, the practice is to lift the patient in theregion of the buttocks. Alternatively, one may roll the patient to oneside and then, after placing the bed pan, roll the patient back onto thebed pan while utilizing, at the same time, a lifting action.

It will be readily appreciated that not only is this a time-consumingand difficult task, that may prove very uncomfortable to the patient,but in addition the bed pan is quite uncomfortable to the patient, sinceits rests directly on the mattress with the patient also supportedFurther, the difficulties and inconveniences attendant upon thisoperation are compounded many times, in large hospital wards, etc., asa'result of which many patients cannot be attended with sufficientfrequency or in emergency situations. This results in soiling of thebed, requiring immediate replacement of the soiled bed clothing.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a generallyimproved hospital bed in which none of the inconveniences, difficulties,and annoyances noted above will be present. To this end, the hospitalbed according to the present invention includes a bed springs whichcomprises a plurality of sections, said sections being normallypositioned so as to cooperate in defining a rectanglar bed springs ofconventional form and apearance. In accordance with the invention, apair of side-by-side center sections are adapted for lateral, outwardadjustment from the center of the bed. A tray that is adapted to supporta bed pan, mounted on an elevatable mechanism below the bed springs, maythen be raised in the center opening defined by the outward adjustmentof the center spring sections, to receive a bed pan that will be locatedat or below the level of the top surface of the mattress.

It has been previously proposed to provide hospital beds designed toeffect the provision of a center opening, in which the bed pan may bereceived. However, the object of the present invention is to provide agenerally improved hospital bed of the type described, characterized bya novel arrangement such that the several sections will be firmly lockedagainst relative movement in their normal position.

Itis another object to so design a locking mechanism for the centersections as to permit said sections to be adjusted outwardly with thelocking mechanisms being operated to releasing positions with maximumease despite their adaptability to normally remain firmly locked.

' Still another object is to provide, in at least one center section,means cooperating with the associated locking mechanism in suchaway thatthis section will .be'capable States Patent 2,872,689 Patented Feb. 10,1959 of being securely locked both in its inwardly and outwardlyadjusted positions.

0 gravity, eliminating completely the use of springs and other elementssubject to wear and breakage.

Another object is to form the locking mechanism in a manner such that itwill not interfere with making of the bed, handling of the patient, orother normal routines, with the locking mechanism being substantiallycompletely concealed at all times.

Still another object is to so'form and relate the several locations ofthe bed springs as to not only permit the formation of thebed-pan-receiving center opening with maximum speed and ease, but alsopermit the patient to be moved to a position facilitating the outwardadjustment of the selected section of the springs, with minimumdiscomfort so far as the patient is concerned.

Other objects will appear from the following description, the claimsappended thereto, and from the annexed drawing, in which like referencecharacters designate like parts throughout the several views, andwherein:

- Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a hospital bed formed accordingto the present invention, a plurality of mattress sections being shownin dotted lines;

Figure 2 is a top'plan view of the bed with the mattress sectionsremoved, one of the center sections being extended outwardly and beingshown in full lines, the other center section being'shown in full anddotted lines in its inner and outer positions, respectively;

Figure 3 is an enlarged, detail, transverse sectional view on line 3-3of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary, enlarged longitudinal sectional view, on thesame scale as Figure 3, taken on line 44 of Figure 3 with portions beingbroken away, the locking mechanism being shown in full and dotted linesin its locking and unlocking positions respectively; and

Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective, fragmentary view, partiallyexploded, of the hospital bed.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the hospital bed constituting thepresent invention includes a stationary bed frame including a head board10, a foot board 12, longitudinal brace bars 14,

and side rails 16 formed, as shown in Figure 5, as confronting channelmembers.

The bed frame can, of course, be so formed as to include other bracingmeans, and in addition the bed frame may and usually would be sodesigned as to permit separation of the head and foot boards from theassociated, remaining components of the bed frame.

In accordance with the present invention, a bed springs, supportedremovably upon the frame, comprises four spring sections generallydesignated 18, 20, 22, and 24 (Figures 2 and 5). The sections 18, 20comprise end sections, and though removably supported upon the siderails, will remain stationary during the normal use of the hospital bed.Section 18 is larger than section 20 as shown in Figure 2, and mayitself include a hinged portion designed to permit elevation of theupper part of the patients body so that the patient may be adjustedbetween prone, semi-sitting, and full sitting positions respectively.This is believed sufficiently obvious as not to require specialillustration herein. The illustration of this type of arrangement, whichis well known in hospital beds, has been dispensed with so as to devotethe drawing and the pertinent description of the invention to thefeatures constituting the invention. e

In any event, the sections 18, 20 are held against lateral deviationfrom their assigned positions by means of upwardly projecting abutmentsor lugs 25 (Figure 1) which are fixedly secured to the respectivesiderails and project upwardly therefrom a distance sufiicient toembrace the spring-sections 18, 20.

End sections 18, 20 are formed with rectangular, opencenter, channeledframes 26, 28 respectively supporting spring assemblies 30, 32 connectedperipherally to the frames by support springs 34, 36.

The inner ends of sections 18, 20 are spaced apart to define a centerspace extending transversely of the bed through the full width thereof,and secured to the confronting, inner sides of the sections 18, 20 areparallel, confronting, guide channels 38, 40 respectively, on the websof which are mounted uniformly spaced guide rollers 42 (Figures 4 andThe center sections 22, 24 are also of different size, section 22 beingapproximately twice as large in respect to the transverse dimensionthereof as the section 24, so as to extend, when in its inwardlyadjusted position, over approximately twothirds the full width of thehospital bed.

Sections 22, 24 are also provided with open-center, rectangular, rigidlyconstituted frames 44, 46 respectively, supporting spring assemblies 48,50 formed similarly to the spring assemblies of the end sections. Theframes 44, 46, however, are not of channel iron construction, as will bereadily noted by reference to Figure 5. Rather, the frames of the centersections are formed of flat bar stock, with depending side walls beingintegrally formed upon the respectively opposite sides of the centersection frames in a manner to be discussed in greater detailhereinafter.

Projecting upwardly from the outer sides of the center sections, andrigidly secured to the adjacent edges of the frames thereof, are handles52, 54 respectively, formed to an inverted U-shape as best shown inFigure 5. These are for the purpose of facilitating adjustment of thecenter sections to their inner and outer positions.

Also as best shown in Figure 5, fixedly secured to the depending sidewalls of the center sections are guide rails 56, 56 of section 22, and58, 58 of section 24. These are extended over the full transversedimension of the respective center sections, and are secured to theupper portions of the depending side walls 60, 62 of said sections.

As shown in Figure 4, the guide rails are supported upon the rollers 42,so that each center section may be rolled into and out of position. Whenthe sections are moved inwardly to their maximum extent, their innersides are in abutting relation, so that the center sections, incooperation with the end sections, define a perfectly rectangular bedsprings adapted to support a plurality of mattress sectionscorresponding in outer configuration to the configuration of therespective spring sections.

It will be noted from Figure 5 that in one of the side walls 60 of thesection 22, a pair of downwardly opening notches 64, 66 are formed.Notch 66 is spaced closely from the outer side of the section 22, whilenotch 64 is spaced transversely of the bed a substantial distance fromthe notch 66.

Adapted to enter either notch is a locking plate 68 of segmental shape,swingable in a vertical plane, and formed integrally at its smaller endwith a laterally, outwardly projecting stub shaft 70, rotatably bearingin an opening formed in the web or side wall of one of the side rails16. Rigid with the outer end of the stub shaft is a diametricallyextending handle 72.

The locking plate 68, when in one position, is supported directly uponthe lower wall of the side rail 16, as shown in dotted lines in Figure4. As will be noted, the entire weight of the plate 68, in thesecircumstances, is disposed to one side of the pivot axis of the plate.Therefore, the plate will remain in this position, which constitutes anunlocking position, by gravity action. This eliminates entirely the useof springs and similar expedients heretofore employed, which have thetendency of breaking, malfunctioning, etc.

In its opposite extreme position, the plate 68 is supported upon a stop74 of block-like shape, rigid with and projecting upwardly from thebottom wall of the side rail 16. Again, the greatest part of the weightof the plate 68 is disposed to one side of the pivot axis thereof, sothat in this position, which is shown in full lines in Figure 4 andconstitutes a locking position, the necessity of springs and similarretaining elements is dispensed with.

In moving between its opposite extreme positions, the arcuate outerportion of the plate 68 travels through a longitudinal slot 76 formed inthe top wall or flange of the side rail 16, adjacent the guide rail 38.As a result, the plate 68, when shifted to locking position, moves intothe path of slidable adjustment of the section 22. The plate, in theinwardly adjusted position of the section 22, enters the outer notch 66,thus securely locking the section 22 against movement from said innerposition thereof.

To permit adjustment of the section 22 outwardly to the full lineposition of Figure 2, the plate 68 is swung to its dotted line positionof Figure 4, so as to completely clear the notch 66. Section 22 is nowfree to be pulled outwardly by one grasping the handle 52. When it hasbeen moved outwardly to the extent shown in Figure 2, the notch 64 willbe brought into registration with the slot 76, so that plate 68 may nowbe swung back to its locking position, entering at this time the notch64. Thus, the section 22 will now be held in its outer position ofadjustment.

Section 24 is also equipped with a locking mechanism similar to thatdescribed immediately above, including a pivoted plate 78 adapted toenter a single notch 80. This is shown in Figure 5, and as will noted,only one notch is provided in the section 24, rather than two as used inthe section 22.

Plate 78 enters notch 80 when the section 24 is in its normal, full lineposition of Figure 2. In this regard, section 24 need not be adjustedoutwardly when it is desired to provide the center space in the hospitalbed. However, if it is desired to move the same outwardly for anypurpose, as for example for the purpose of facilitating remaking of thebed, changing of draw sheets, or the like, the plate 78 is readilyadjusted to its unlocking position, freeing the section 24 for outwardmovement and, if desired, complete removal from the bed.

When section 22 is adjusted outwardly, there is defined a center spaceof rectangular formation designated 81. This space is disposed centrallybetween the opposite sides of the bed, as will be readily seen fromFigure 2.

Immediately below the space 81, there is mounted upon the bed frame ascissors jack mechanism generally designated 82. This is per seconventional and hence need not be described in detail herein. Mechanism82 is operated by a shaft 84 having a universal connection to a stubshaft 86 journalled in a bearing 88 carried at the foot board, with stubshaft 86 having a non-circular projection adapted to receive a handcrank 90.

Mounted upon the mechanism 82 is a shallowly dished tray 92, and aconventional bed pan 94 may be removably supported in the tray. Thus, ifit is desired to place the bed pan, it is merely necessary that thepatient be rolled on one side, to overlie the section 24, after whichthe section 22 is pulled outwardly and locked in its outer position. Thebed pan may now be placed on the tray 92, and is adjusted upwardly byrotation of the crank 90, to a position in which it is at or just belowthe level of the top surface of mattress sections 96, 98, 100, supportedupon the respective sections. It will be understood that each mattresssection will corre' spond in shape and size to the section supportingthe same.

- The hospital bed constituting the present invention has the desirableadvantage that the movable center sections are locked, when the bed isin regular use, securely against movement relative to the main bedframe. Further, the section 22, which is the section that is movedoutwardly and inwardly, is also lockable in its outer position by thesame mechanism employed to normally hold the same in its inner position.The locking mechanism is characterized by its simplicity, wherein thelocking plate is maintained both in locking and unlocking positionsentirely by gravity action, without requirement of springs, etc.Nevertheless, the plate, though simple and inexpensive in construction,securely locks the center section against movement. This is ofimportance, since complete insurance against accidental movement of thecenter sections, which movement might be caused by turning of thepatient in bed, is provided.

Still further, the construction facilitates the making of differentsections of the bed, to change soiled bed clothing, without requiringremaking of the entire bed. Thus, should the bed clothing on section 22become soiled, this may be readily changed without disturbing thepatient other than to roll the patient onto one side, upon the section24.

The type of spring assembly used can, of course, be varied as desired,that shown being merely illustrative of one of many that can be employedto advantage.

The sections 22 and 24 may be reversed, i. e. inserted from the sidesopposite those shown, depending upon which side a patient is customarilyturned upon when utilizing the novel bed in the manner heretoforedescribed. The sections 22 and 24 may have disposed thereon suitablemattresses which are covered by coverings similar to pillow slips, andthe sections 18 and 20 will have thereon suitable mattresses covered byconventional sheets.

It is believed apparent that the invention is not necessarily confinedto the specific use or uses thereof described above, since it may beutilized for any purpose 3 to which it may be suited. Nor is theinvention to be necessarily limited to the specific constructionillustrated and described, since such construction is only intended tobe illustrative of the principles, and the means presently devised tocarry out said principles, it being considered that the inventioncomprehends any minor change in construction that may be permittedwithin the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

In a hospital bed comprising a support frame including side rails one atleast of which is formed with a side wall and with a top flangeextending laterally inwardly from said wall, a pair of end springsections carried by and spaced longitudinally of the frame, bed pansupport means mounted on the frame below the space between the endsections, and a pair of center sections mounted on the end sections inthe space between the same for relative adjustment transversely of theframe between contacting inner positions and outer positions in whichthe center sections are spaced apart sufiiciently to expose therebetweenthe bed pansupport means, the improvement which comprises: a lockingplate pivoted upon the inner side of the side wall, said top flangehaving a slot through which said plate is pivotally movable betweenlocking and unlocking positions respectively, one center section havingnotches spaced apart along one side thereof, each of which notchesreceives the locking plate in a selected position to which said onesection is adjusted, said locking plate being pivoted on its axis formovement from one side to the other of said axis, so as to remain inselected positions of pivotal movement by gravity action.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS143,585 Morris Oct. 14, 1873 651,378 Nicholls June 12, 1900 878,045Collins Feb. 4, 1908 1,046,830 McDonald Dec. 10, 1912 1,545,415Fazakerley July 7, 1925 1,601,049 Thorne Sept. 28, 1926 1,656,818 DillonJan. 17, 1928 1,884,577 Comper Oct. 25, 1932 1,918,253 Eklind July 18,1933 2,215,636 Comper Sept. 24, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS 341,356 GermanySept. 29, 1921

